Marquetry History and Materials

Marquetry is the craft of covering a structural carcass with pieces of veneer forming decorative patterns,designs or pictures.The technique may be applied to case furniture or even seat furniture,to decorative small objects with smooth,veneerable surfaces or to free-standing pictorial panels appreciated in their own right.This process dates back all the way to the ancient Egyptians and Romans.The techniques were introduced to Venice from Persia during the 14th century.From here the craft gradually spread to Florence,France,Germany and Holland.The craft reached a peak of popularity during the 17th-19th centuries among the privileged classes.

MaterialsThe veneers used are primarily woods,but may include bone, ivory,turtle-shell,mother-of-pearl,pewter,brass or fine metals.

How it's doneThe design is traced onto the veneer (verythin sheets of wood)using a black carbon paper.The shape is cut out.The veneer to be inserted is then placed behind the resulting hole,and moved until the required effect of colour,figure and grain is seen.The insert veneer is then secured with a few small pieces of tape and the required piece is cut,using the edge of the hole as a cutting guide.The insert piece is removed from its leaf,gently pressed into the hole and taped lightly.Glue is rubbed into the joints to fasten the insert in place and shortly afterwards the tape can be removed.Each piece is added in this way,eventually ending up with the finished picture the thickness of a single sheet of veneer.